Perhaps you've heard the roar of indignation from The Cubbie Nation over Clark, the team's new mascot. You don't hear as much wailing and gnashing in Wrigleyville even after a doubleheader loss to the Cardinals when the North Siders are still in the playoff hunt — like, in May.

Here's the core truth: the front office knows what it's doing. The poo-bahs have this all figured out. Don't try to think like them. Better yet, don't think at all. That's usually the best tactic, friends, if you're going to follow the Cubs.

Certainly, don't listen to the naysayers. They wonder about Clark's quizzical facial expression, wary and apprehensive, like Pete LaCock or Davey Rosello going up to bat against Tom Seaver in the mid-1970s. Clark's expression, say those doubters, doesn't show confidence but constipation.

Meantime, in one depiction, he's leaning on a bat that's actually bending. That's not exactly a threat of power. What kind of bat bends? Limp bats. Impotent bats.

Regardless, Clark will make things right. According to the team's website, fan surveys demanded 'more Cubs-related family-friendly entertainment at Wrigley Field.' The team didn't say how many fans wanted better pitching. But Clark apparently is really important too.

The website also says, 'Clark will ... be respectful of the game.' See, that's improvement right there. How many Cubs actually respect the game — to the standards of the major leagues? The players often lack many of the tools you see at some levels of baseball, such as T-ball. Most Cubs historically have run the base paths with the speed and lightness of a redwood tree. And as for defense, their infielders have often approached the ball skittishly, as if tasked with picking up a hissing viper.

Still, Clark will make Wrigleyville forget the pathetic past, if fans don't pay attention to jokesters nationwide. ABC News took a shot with an online headline: 'Chicago Cubs mascot looks like a famous chipmunk.' He's apparently referring to Alvin, the cartoon rodent with the high-pitched singing voice. But the joke's on the writer. The resemblance isn't even close: Clark wears his hat backwards, while Alvin's cap faces front. Duh.

Page 2 of 2 - Other national media offered further smearing, via tweets from Cubs fans. CBS offered this one: 'I suppose the Cubs mascot is fitting because it looks like the bear who advertises for Charmin toilet paper.'

But the haters don't get it. Yet the Cubs' front office does.

Cubs fans, you might be miffed right now. You might harbor horrible daydreams about strangling a teddy bear. But inside, you know Clark is right. You know Clark is the way.

For years, you have held your head and beer cup high, extolling the virtues of loyalty — of bleeding Cubbie Blue 'til the day you die. You sermonize, long and loud, that you're no fair-weather fan. The Cubs fail year after year, and you're still on their side — eagerly forking over your hard-earned cash to buy tickets and souvenirs and concessions, whatever the teams asks.

Each year, it's the same. You hold the Cubs high as The Lovable Losers. You embrace that. You support that. You fund that.

And if some clueless heathen dares question such faith, if some heretic so much as hints that the front office has no motivation to improve the team while forever raking in fans' cash, then you proudly point to the Cubs' rich history: billy goat, black cat, Bartman.

And now there's Clark, an addition to that Cubs all-important off-field lore. The team website touts, 'Clark will welcome fans to his own clubhouse at Wrigley Field, where families can visit.' Of course. Why would they want to do anything else, like watch the game? Nothing good usually comes of that.

So there you go, Cubs fans. Clark is another in a long line of diversions. And it's already working. Since Clark was unveiled, Cubs followers have been too busy carping about the mascot to worry about what looks like another lackluster season.

See, Cubs fans? The Cubs front office is looking out for you. If you're lucky, all that brainpower and leadership won't cost you any extra at the ticket booth this season.

And when you go, say hi to Clark. After all, Cubs fans, he is your legacy. Show proper respect to what you've created.